Fiber optic connector and method of assembling the same

ABSTRACT

The present invention discloses a fiber optic connector comprising a housing, a spring, a ferrule assembly and a crimping seat. Before being inserted into the housing, the ferrule assembly is pre-assembled into the crimping seat in a manner of being movable relative to the crimping seat. The spring is pre-assembled into the housing before the ferrule assembly is inserted into the housing. After the pre-assembled ferrule assembly and crimping seat are inserted into the housing, the crimping seat is snap-fitted in the housing, and the spring pushes the ferrule assembly, so that the ferrule assembly is capable of being moved against the spring relative to the crimping seat. Before inserted into a housing of the fiber optic connector, some components may be pre-assembled together to form an integral assembly having a size less than that of a housing of the fiber optic connector. Accordingly, the integral assembly may be smoothly pulled through a small long pipe. After pulled through the pipe, the integral assembly may be easily and quickly inserted into the housing as a whole at one time.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of Chinese Patent Application No.201410052557.X filed on Feb. 14, 2014 in the State Intellectual PropertyOffice of China, the whole disclosure of which is incorporated herein byreference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a fiber optic connector and a method ofassembling the fiber optic connector.

Description of the Related Art

In prior art, optical cables/fibers generally are optically coupled byfollowing ways of:

1) Splicing Optical Fibers in Field

The way of splicing the optical cables/fibers generally comprises stepsof: Firstly, processing ends of the optical fibers (including peelingoff the optical cable, cleaning and cutting the optical fiber of theoptical cable); Secondly, manually or automatically setting optimumsplicing parameters of a splicing machine and relative positions of theoptical fibers to be spliced based on material and type of the opticalfiber; Thirdly, discharging an electric arc with the splicing machine tofuse the ends of the optical fibers, and slowly and linearly pushing theoptical fibers toward each other to optically couple the optical fibers;Finally, contracting a heat shrinkable tube on a coupled joint of theoptical fibers to protect the coupled joint, and winding the opticalfibers to finish all splicing operations in the field. In this case, thesplicing properties (including optical attenuation, echo, and long termreliability, etc.) of the optical fibers are in different degreesdepended on various factors, such as, operation level of a splicingoperator, operation steps, fiber winding level, cleanliness ofelectrodes of the splicing machine, splicing parameters, cleanliness ofworking environment, and so on. In addition, it is necessary to usevarious expensive apparatus, for example, high precision cutting tool,splicing machine or the like, to perform the splicing of the opticalfibers in the field.

2) Cold Coupling Optical Fibers

In this solution, two processed optical fibers are fixed in a highprecision V-shaped or U-shaped groove and aligned to each other. Inaddition, an optical matching paste is filled in the V-shaped orU-shaped groove to fill a gap between end surfaces of the two opticalfibers. Compared with splicing, the cold coupling is relatively simplerand quicker, because the cold coupling does not need an electric powersupply and a heat shrinkable tube to protect the spliced joint. However,the cold coupling is largely depended on cutting quality of the endsurfaces of the optical fibers and the optical matching paste. If thecutting quality is poor, it decreases the coupling properties (includingoptical attenuation, echo, and long term reliability, etc.).Furthermore, as for the cold coupling with the V-shaped or U-shapedgroove, the coupling loss is increased with the variation of thetemperature. With the passage of time, because of the opened V-shaped orU-shaped groove, flowing away, pollution and aging occurring in theoptical matching paste may cause the insertion loss to become larger oreven reduce the optical signal to zero. Thereby, the cold coupling has apoor stability and long-term reliability.

3) Assembling Connector in Field

In the way of assembling connector in field, an optical fiber ispre-embedded in a ferrule. At one end of ferrule, an end surface of astandard connector is pre-polished, and at the other end of the ferrule,the pre-embedded fiber is placed in a high precision V-shaped groovewith an optical matching paste filled therein. During assembling theconnector in the field, the incoming optical fiber/cable is processed inthe field (for example, opening the cable, peeling the fiber, cleaningand cutting the fiber), and inserted into the rear end of the connectoruntil the end surface of incoming fiber abuts against the end surface ofthe pre-embedded fiber in the V-shaped or U-shaped groove, then thefibers are fixed by an external mechanical element. The way ofassembling connector in field has a relatively high cost. In addition,it is necessary to use a special tool and an operation guide provided bythe connector manufacturer. Also, because the optical matching paste isused, it has a poor stability and long-term reliability.

4) Integral Cable/Fiber Assembly in Factory

The integral cable/fiber assembly is manufactured in the factory. As forthis way, it is reliable and is easy to use. However, it cannot beapplied in a limited space, for example, in an application of fiber tothe home or to the resident, it often needs to pull the cable/fiberassembly through a narrow pipe, especially a pipe in which other cablesare paved.

In the above ways in the prior art, there are high requirements on thetool and the operator to assemble the connector in the field.Furthermore, in the prior art, before assembling a ferrule assembly, aspring and a spring seat into the connector housing, the ferruleassembly, the spring and the spring seat are separated from each otherand cannot be pre-assembled together. Thereby, in the prior art, theferrule assembly, the spring and the spring seat must be assembled intothe connector housing one by one. Such way of assembling the connectoris only adapted to assemble the ferrule assembly, the spring and thespring seat into the connector housing in the factory, and is notadapted to assemble the ferrule assembly, the spring and the spring seatinto the connector housing in the field. As a result, the completelyassembled connector in the factory cannot be pulled through the narrowpipe in the field, because the completely assembled connector has alarge profile size.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been made to overcome or alleviate at leastone aspect of the above mentioned disadvantages.

According to an object of the present invention, there is provided afiber optic connector and a method of assembling the fiber opticconnector, wherein a ferrule assembly and a crimping seat are adapted tobe pre-assembled to an integral cable assembly having a profile sizeless than that of a connector housing. In this way, the cable assemblywith small profile size may be easily pulled through an elongated pipein the field. Furthermore, after being pulled through the elongatedpipe, the cable assembly as a whole may be quickly assembled into theconnector housing in the field.

According to another object of the present invention, there is provideda fiber optic connector and a method of assembling the fiber opticconnector, wherein various components of the connector may be correctlyand quickly assembled into the connector housing, effectively saving theassembling time and reducing mistake operations.

According to another object of the present invention, there is provideda fiber optic connector and a method of assembling the fiber opticconnector, wherein various components of the connector may bepre-assembled to an integral assembly, and an end surface of a ferruleand a fiber are protected to prevent them from damage during assemblingthe integral assembly into the connector housing, improving the longterm reliability of an interconnection of fiber optic connectors.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided afiber optic connector comprising a housing, a spring, a ferrule assemblyand a crimping seat. Before being inserted into the housing, the ferruleassembly is pre-assembled into the crimping seat in a manner of beingmovable relative to the crimping seat. The spring is pre-assembled intothe housing before the ferrule assembly is inserted into the housing.After the pre-assembled ferrule assembly and the crimping seat areinserted into the housing, the crimping seat is snap-fitted in thehousing, and the spring pushes the ferrule assembly, so that the ferruleassembly is capable of being moved against the spring relative to thecrimping seat.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, theferrule assembly comprises: a ferrule; and a ferrule seat with a frontend fixedly connected to the ferrule and a rear end fitted in thecrimping seat.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, theferrule and the ferrule seat are formed into a single piece.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, aslot is formed in an outer circumferential surface of a front end of theferrule seat, a retaining member is fitted in the slot through thehousing after the ferrule seat is inserted into the housing, and thespring pushes the retaining member, so as to exert an axial elasticforce on the ferrule assembly.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, aspring holding seat and a spring moving block are provided in thehousing, and the spring is compressed between the spring holding seatand the spring moving block; and the spring moving block abuts againstthe retaining member under the push of the spring.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, aprotrusion is formed on a front end portion of the crimping seat, andthe protrusion is snapped into a recess formed in the spring holdingseat.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, aninsertion opening is formed in the housing, and the retaining member isinserted into the slot of the ferrule seat through the insertion openingafter the ferrule assembly is inserted into the housing.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, thecrimping seat has an insertion chamber defined by a plurality of petalshaped parts, and the rear end of the ferrule seat is inserted into theinsertion chamber of the crimping seat.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, thefiber optic connector further comprises: a crimp ring configured tocrimp a strengthening element of an optical cable on a rear end of thecrimping seat; and a stress relief tube configured to be sleeved on thecrimp ring crimped on the rear end of the crimping seat.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, thefiber optic connector further comprises: a dust cap fitted on the frontend of the ferrule.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, theoptical cable, the dust cap, the ferrule assembly, the spring seat, thecrimp ring and the stress relief tube are pre-assembled together to forma cable connection assembly as a whole before being inserted into thehousing; the spring, the spring moving block and the spring holding seatare pre-assembled in the housing before the cable connection assembly isinserted into the housing; and the protrusion of the crimping seat issnapped into the recess of the spring holding seat after the cableconnection assembly is inserted into the housing, so as to limit thecable connection assembly in the housing.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provideda method of assembling a fiber optic connector, comprising steps of:

pre-assembling an optical cable, a dust cap, a ferrule assembly, acrimping seat, a crimp ring and a stress relief tube together to form acable connection assembly as a whole;

pre-assembling a spring, a spring moving block and a spring holding seatin a housing of the fiber optic connector before the cable connectionassembly is inserted into the housing; and

inserting the cable connection assembly as a whole into the housing inwhich the spring, the spring moving block and the spring holding seathave been pre-assembled.

The ferrule assembly is pre-assembled into the crimping seat in a mannerof being movable relative to the crimping seat. After the cableconnection assembly is inserted into the housing, the crimping seat issnapped in the spring holding seat, so as to limit the cable connectionassembly in the housing. After the cable connection assembly is insertedinto the housing, the spring pushes the ferrule assembly, so that theferrule assembly is capable of being moved against the spring relativeto the crimping seat.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the abovemethod further comprises a step of: pulling the cable connectionassembly through an elongated pipe before inserting the cable connectionassembly into the housing.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, theferrule assembly comprises a ferrule, and a ferrule seat with a frontend fixedly connected to the ferrule and a rear end fitted in thecrimping seat.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, aslot is formed in an outer circumferential surface of a front end of theferrule seat, and a retaining member is fitted in the slot after theferrule seat is inserted into the housing, so as to block the ferruleseat from being moved out of the housing under the push of the spring.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, thespring is compressed between the spring moving block and the springholding seat; and the spring moving block abuts against the retainingmember under the push of the spring.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, aprotrusion is formed on a front end portion of the crimping seat, andthe protrusion is snapped into a recess formed in the spring holdingseat after the crimping seat is inserted into the housing.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, aninsertion opening is formed in the housing, and the retaining member isinserted into the slot of the ferrule seat through the insertion openingafter the ferrule assembly is inserted into the housing.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, thecrimping seat has an insertion chamber defined by a plurality of petalshaped parts, and the rear end of the ferrule seat is inserted into theinsertion chamber of the crimping seat.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, thecrimp ring is configured to crimp a strengthening element of the opticalcable on a rear end of the crimping seat; and the stress relief tube isconfigured to be sleeved on the crimp ring crimped on the rear end ofthe crimping seat.

In the fiber optic connector and the method of assembling the fiberoptic connector according to the above exemplary embodiments of thepresent invention, before being inserted into a housing of the fiberoptic connector, some components, including the ferrule assembly and thecrimping seat, of the connector may be pre-assembled together to form anintegral assembly having a size less than that of a housing of the fiberoptic connector. Accordingly, the integral assembly may be smoothlypulled through a small long pipe. Furthermore, after being pulledthrough the pipe, the integral assembly may be easily and quicklyinserted into the housing as a whole at one time, saving the assemblytime, avoiding mistake operations, effectively preventing the warp ofthe spring, protecting the end surface of the ferrule and the fiber frombeing damaged during the assembling process, and increasing the longterm reliability of the interconnection of the fiber optic connectors.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other features of the present invention will become moreapparent by describing in detail exemplary embodiments thereof withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an illustrative perspective view of a cable connectionassembly formed by assembling some components, including a ferruleassembly and a crimping seat, of a fiber optic connector according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an illustrative perspective view of a housing of a fiber opticconnector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention,wherein a spring is pre-assembled in the housing;

FIG. 3 is an illustrative cross section view of the housing of the fiberoptic connector shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an illustrative view of inserting the cable connectionassembly of FIG. 1 into the housing in which the spring has beenpre-assembled;

FIG. 5 is an illustrative perspective view of a complete fiber opticconnector after the cable connection assembly of FIG. 1 is inserted intothe housing in which the spring has been pre-assembled; and

FIG. 6 is an illustrative cross section view of the fiber opticconnector of FIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be describedhereinafter in detail with reference to the attached drawings, whereinthe like reference numerals refer to the like elements. The presentdisclosure may, however, be embodied in many different forms and shouldnot be construed as being limited to the embodiment set forth herein;rather, these embodiments are provided so that the present disclosurewill be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the concept of thedisclosure to those skilled in the art.

In the following detailed description, for purposes of explanation,numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thoroughunderstanding of the disclosed embodiments. It will be apparent,however, that one or more embodiments may be practiced without thesespecific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devicesare schematically shown in order to simplify the drawing.

According to a general concept of the present invention, there isprovided a fiber optic connector comprising a housing, a spring, aferrule assembly and a crimping seat. Before being inserted into thehousing, the ferrule assembly is pre-assembled into the crimping seat ina manner of being movable relative to the crimping seat. The spring ispre-assembled into the housing before the ferrule assembly is insertedinto the housing. After the pre-assembled ferrule assembly and crimpingseat are inserted into the housing, the crimping seat is snapped in thehousing, and the spring pushes the ferrule assembly, so that the ferruleassembly is capable of being moved against the spring relative to thecrimping seat.

FIG. 1 is an illustrative perspective view of a cable connectionassembly formed by assembling some components, including a ferruleassembly, a crimping seat, and so on, of a fiber optic connectoraccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

In an exemplary embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the cable connectionassembly 1 mainly comprises a ferrule assembly, a crimping seat 300 andan optical cable 10. In another exemplary embodiment, the cableconnection assembly 1 may further comprise a crimp ring 410 (FIG. 6), astress relief tube 400, and a dust cap 110.

FIG. 5 is an illustrative perspective view of a complete fiber opticconnector after the cable connection assembly 1 of FIG. 1 is insertedinto the housing in which a spring 500 has been pre-assembled; and FIG.6 is an illustrative cross section view of the fiber optic connector ofFIG. 5.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 5-6, the ferrule assembly comprises: a ferrule(100); and a ferrule seat (200) with a front end (left end or distal endin the Figs.) fixedly connected to a rear end of the ferrule (100) and arear end (right end or approximate end in the Figs.) fitted in thecrimping seat (300). In an alternative embodiment, the ferrule 100 andthe ferrule seat 200 may be formed into a single piece. A fiber of theoptical cable 10 is inserted into and fixed in a bore of the ferrule100. In the illustrated embodiment, the ferrule 100, the ferrule seat200 and the optical cable 10 may be together regarded as the ferruleassembly.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 6, the dust cap (indicated by dash line inFIG. 1) 110 is fitted on a front end of the ferrule 100, so as toprotect the front end surface of the ferrule 100 and a fiber of theoptical cable 10 from being damaged during assembling the pre-assembledcable connection assembly 1 into the connector housing.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 6, the crimping seat 300 has an insertionchamber defined by a plurality of petal shaped parts, and a rear end ofthe ferrule seat 200 is inserted into the insertion chamber of thecrimping seat 300 and movable forward and backward relative to thecrimping seat 300 in the insertion chamber of the crimping seat 300.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 6, the crimp ring 410 is constructed to crimp astrengthening element of the optical cable 10 on a rear end of thecrimping seat 300, and the stress relief tube 400 is sleeved on thecrimp ring 410 crimped on the rear end of the crimping seat 300.

FIG. 2 is an illustrative perspective view of housings 800, 900 of afiber optic connector according to an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention, wherein a spring 500 is pre-assembled in the housings800, 900; FIG. 3 is an illustrative cross section view of the housings800, 900 of the fiber optic connector shown in FIG. 2.

As shown in FIGS. 2-3, the fiber optic connector comprises an outerhousing 800 and an inner housing 900 adapted to be fitted in the outerhousing 800.

As shown in FIGS. 2-3 and 6, a spring holding seat 700 and a springmoving block 600 are provided in the inner housing 900, and the spring500 is compressed between the spring holding seat 700 and the springmoving block 600.

FIG. 4 is an illustrative view of inserting the cable connectionassembly 1 of FIG. 1 into the housings 800, 900 in which the spring 500has been pre-assembled.

As shown in FIGS. 1-6, a slot 201 is formed in an outer circumferentialsurface of a front end of the ferrule seat 200. After the ferrule seat200 is inserted into the housings 800, 900, a retaining member 910 isfitted in the slot 201 through the outer housing 800. The spring 500pushes the retaining member 910, so as to exert an axial elastic forceon the ferrule assembly.

As shown in FIG. 6, the spring moving block 600 abuts against theretaining member 910 under the push of the spring 500. In this way, thespring 500 is provided to push the ferrule assembly, so that the ferruleassembly is capable of being moved against the spring 500 relative tothe crimping seat 300.

As shown in FIGS. 1-6, a protrusion 310 is formed on a front end (distalend) portion of the crimping seat 300, and the protrusion 310 is snappedinto a recess formed in the spring holding seat 700 after the crimpingseat 300 is inserted into the connector housing.

As shown in FIG. 4, an insertion opening 890 is formed in the outerhousing 800 of the fiber optic connector, and the retaining member 910is inserted into the slot 201 of the ferrule seat 200 through theinsertion opening 890 after the cable connection assembly 1 is insertedinto the housings 800, 900.

In an exemplary embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1-6, the optical cable 10,the dust cap 110, the ferrule assembly, the spring seat 300, the crimpring 410 and the stress relief tube 400 are pre-assembled together toform a cable connection assembly 1 as a whole before being inserted intothe connector housing. The spring 500, the spring moving block 600 andthe spring holding seat 700 are pre-assembled in the housing before thecable connection assembly 1 is inserted into the connector housing. Theprotrusion 310 of the crimping seat 300 is snapped into the recess ofthe spring holding seat 700 after the cable connection assembly 1 isinserted into the housing, so as to limit the cable connection assembly1 in the housing. In this way, a complete fiber optic connector isobtained.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention,there is also disclosed a method of assembling a fiber optic connector,comprising steps of:

pre-assembling an optical cable 10, a dust cap 110, a ferrule assembly,a crimping seat 300, a crimp ring 410 and a stress relief tube 400together to form a cable connection assembly 1 as a whole; and

pre-assembling a spring 500, a spring moving block 600 and a springholding seat 700 in a housing of the connector before the cableconnection assembly 1 is inserted into the housing; and

inserting the cable connection assembly 1 as a whole into the housing inwhich the spring 500, the spring moving block 600 and the spring holdingseat 700 have been pre-assembled, then snap-fitting a protrusion 310 ofthe crimping seat 300 into a recess of the spring holding seat 700 afterthe cable connection assembly 1 being inserted into the housing, so asto limit the cable connection assembly 1 in the housing.

In the above method, the ferrule assembly is pre-assembled into thecrimping seat 300 in a manner of being movable relative to the crimpingseat 300, as shown in FIG. 1.

In the above method, after the cable connection assembly 1 is insertedinto the housing, as shown in FIG. 6, the crimping seat 300 issnap-fitted in the spring holding seat 700, so as to limit the cableconnection assembly 1 in the housing.

In the above method, after the cable connection assembly 1 is insertedinto the housing, as shown in FIG. 6, the spring 500 pushes the ferruleassembly, so that the ferrule assembly is capable of being moved againstthe spring 500 relative to the crimping seat 300.

In an exemplary embodiment, the above method further comprises a stepof: pulling the cable connection assembly 1 through an elongated pipebefore inserting the cable connection assembly 1 into the connectorhousing.

Although the housing, in the illustrated embodiment, comprises the outerhousing 800 and the inner housing 900 fitted in the outer housing 800,the present invention is not limited to this, the housing may comprise asingle housing.

In the fiber optic connector and the method of assembling the fiberoptic connector according to the above exemplary embodiments of thepresent invention, before being inserted into the connector housing,some components, including the ferrule assembly and the crimping seat,of the connector may be pre-assembled together to form an integralassembly having a size less than that of the housings of the fiber opticconnector. Accordingly, the integral assembly with small size may besmoothly pulled through a small long pipe. Furthermore, after beingpulled through the pipe, the integral assembly may be easily and quicklyinserted into the housing as a whole at one time, saving the assemblytime, avoiding mistake operations, effectively preventing the warp ofthe spring, protecting the end surface of the ferrule and the fiber frombeing damaged during the assembling process, and increasing the longterm reliability of the interconnection of the fiber optic connectors.

It should be appreciated for those skilled in this art that the aboveembodiments are intended to be illustrated, and not restrictive. Forexample, many modifications may be made to the above embodiments bythose skilled in this art, and various features described in differentembodiments may be freely combined with each other without conflictingin configuration or principle.

Although several exemplary embodiments have been shown and described, itwould be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes ormodifications may be made in these embodiments without departing fromthe principles and spirit of the disclosure, the scope of which isdefined in the claims and their equivalents.

As used herein, an element recited in the singular and proceeded withthe word “a” or “an” should be understood as not excluding plural ofsaid elements or steps, unless such exclusion is explicitly stated.Furthermore, references to “one embodiment” of the present invention arenot intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additionalembodiments that also incorporate the recited features. Moreover, unlessexplicitly stated to the contrary, embodiments “comprising” or “having”an element or a plurality of elements having a particular property mayinclude additional such elements not having that property.

1-20. (canceled)
 21. A fiber optic connector assembly extending axiallybetween a front end and a back end and comprising: an outer housing; aninner housing at least partially disposed within the outer housing andextending axially rearwards from the front end of the assembly; a springmoving block disposed within the outer housing, a forward end of thespring moving block abutting a rear facing surface of the inner housing;a spring holding seat disposed within the outer housing and axiallyrearward of the spring moving block; and a spring disposed in the outerhousing and having a front end abutting the spring moving block and arear end abutting the spring holding seat; wherein the outer housingcomprises an insertion opening adapted to receive a retaining member,the insertion opening being radially aligned with a portion of the innerhousing that is forward of the rear facing surface of the inner housing.22. The fiber optic connector assembly of claim 21, wherein the assemblylacks an optical fiber and lacks an optical fiber ferrule.
 23. The fiberoptic connector assembly of claim 21, wherein the assembly is adapted toreceive a ferrule assembly, and wherein the spring holding seat isadapted to engage a crimping seat of the ferrule assembly.
 24. The fiberoptic connector assembly of claim 23, wherein a retaining memberreceived through the insertion opening is adapted to engage a slot on aferrule seat of a ferrule of the ferrule assembly.
 25. The fiber opticconnector assembly of claim 21, further comprising a retaining memberdisposed within the outer housing, forward of and abutting the springmoving block, and radially aligned with the insertion opening.
 26. Afiber optic connector assembly extending axially between a front end anda back end and comprising: an outer housing, the outer housing includinga radially extending insertion opening through a wall of the outerhousing; an inner housing at least partially disposed within the outerhousing; a spring moving block disposed within the outer housing, aforward end of the spring moving block abutting a rear facing surface ofthe inner housing; a spring holding seat disposed within the outerhousing and axially rearward of the spring moving block; a springdisposed in the outer housing and having a front end abutting the springmoving block and a rear end abutting the spring holding seat; aretaining member disposed within the outer housing, forward of andabutting the spring moving block, and radially aligned with theinsertion opening; and a ferrule assembly, the ferrule assembly beingengaged with the retaining member such that an axially rearward forceapplied to the ferrule assembly causes rearward axial compression of thespring.
 27. The fiber optic connector assembly of claim 26, wherein theferrule assembly comprises a ferrule and a ferrule seat fixedlyconnected to the ferrule, and wherein the ferrule seat is engaged withthe retaining member.
 28. The fiber optic connector assembly of claim27, wherein the retaining member is engaged with a circumferential slotof the ferrule seat.
 29. The fiber optic connector assembly of claim 28,wherein the ferrule assembly further comprises a crimping seat disposedaxially rearward of the ferrule, wherein the ferrule seat is axiallyslidingly received in an insertion chamber of the crimping seat, andwherein the crimping seat is fixed to the spring holding seat.
 30. Thefiber optic connector assembly of claim 29, wherein the insertionchamber is defined by a plurality of petal shaped parts.